Feed and Clothe My People of Door County

The FEED AND CLOTHE MY PEOPLE OF DOOR COUNTY FOOD PANTRY was created with the intention of providing food to our clients on an emergency and on-going basis. Clients are referred to the organization from other agencies, local churches, or our outreach programs, and in some instances people come in to request assistance on their own. Individualized "pantries" are put together and issued to clients on an on-going basis along with information about other programs and agencies that they may benefit from. A typical "pantry" consists of 68 staple items and 4 bulk items. In 2023, 203 "pantries" were created, and 300 adults and 115 children benefited from that program. In addition to seeing that "pantries" are created for needy individuals on a year-round basis, staff members and volunteers also make a concerted effort to see that the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are a little nicer for some of our clients by surprising them with gift baskets that contain "all the fixings" for holiday meals as well as gift certificates and/or gift cards. At Thanksgiving and at Christmas in 2023, staff members saw that 53 of our clients who may not have been able to afford to make holiday meals or purchase any gifts received the baskets, and all of those individuals were very grateful for the generosity of our donors.

The BACKPACK BUDDIES Program is run by a team of very dedicated volunteers who pack small lunch bags with 5 nutritious snacks for needy children on a weekly basis. (The snacks are sent home inside the children's backpacks each weekend of the school year from October through May.) In order to participate in the BACKPACK BUDDIES Program children must qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch and have a parent sign a permission slip, but confidentiality is always maintained. Some children take extra bags home with them for siblings between the ages of 2 and 8, and health information is always included with those bags. In 2023, 321 children benefitted from the BACKPACK BUDDIES Program.

The THRIFT STORE provides clothing, some furniture, and small household items that are in good condition to clients free of charge or for a nominal cost depending upon their ability to pay. Additionally, every fall warm coats and jackets, hats, mittens and gloves that are in good condition are provided free of charge to those in need of outerwear. Local residents are encouraged to drop off new and/or gently used clothing or other household items at the Thrift Store, and in 2023 we were able to provide 610 pieces of clothing, many of which didn't even appear to have been worn, as well as at least 110 small household items and some very nice furniture to needy individuals. Some donated items are sold at the Thrift Store, and the revenues that are realized as the result of those sales help to defray operating expenses.